The priests, with minds intent and hearts full of reverence, turned to Agni, the sacred fire, as their chosen one. They called upon him to be auspicious and to stand as their protector—slayer of foes, conqueror of all who oppose, ever vigilant and unfailing within their homes. They prayed that Agni would establish wealth for them right there, ensuring that none who had caused them harm in the past could diminish his presence. They wished for Agni to possess well-disciplined strength, and for his approachers—those who seek him—to increase without hindrance. With devotion, they urged Agni to seize a long life with his power, and to pursue friendship with the worthiness of a true companion. They asked him to stand among his kin, to shine brightly in their midst, and to be invoked by kings and rulers alike. They entreated Agni to surpass all that is hidden or secret, to rise above ignorance and enmity, to overcome every evil, and to grant them wealth along with strong, steadfast companions. Agni was hailed as unassailable, all-knowing, unconquered, and glorious—the upholder of sovereignty. They wished for him to shine there, releasing all human fears, and to protect them that very day, blessing them so they might grow and flourish. Then, turning their prayers to Bṛhaspati and Savitar, they called upon these gods to awaken the one prepared for the sacred journey, to guide him safely across, and to ensure his growth for great good fortune, so that all the gods might rejoice in him. They wished that he might dwell in the realm where Yama resides, and asked Bṛhaspati to release him from any curse. They invoked the Aśvins to drive away death, and Agni, the divine physician, to heal with his powers. With gratitude, they acknowledged that they had emerged from darkness into light, beholding the higher realm, and had reached the god among gods—the Sun, the highest light. They marveled at Agni’s flames, rising upward, and his radiant rays, proclaiming him the most brilliant and beautiful son. They honored Tanūnapāt, the wise Asura among gods, all-knowing, praying that he might anoint their paths with honey and ghee. With honey and delight in sacrifice, they invoked Naraśaṃsa, Agni, and Savitar—the well-worshipped, the bestower of all blessings—knowing he was pleased by their offerings. They described Agni moving with might towards the shaded place, anointed with ghee, praised with reverence, the sacred fire at every offering. They prayed that he, who is delightful and giver of excellent gifts, may enjoy the greatness of Agni, being the most active and the bestower of wealth. All the divine doors, they said, attend upon Agni; all vows are established for him, spreading wide, ruling by his domain. The two divine maidens, Uṣas and Naktā—like women in the heavenly womb—they invoked to protect their sacrifice and ritual. They called upon the two divine Hotṛs to raise up their sacrifice and to praise Agni’s tongue, ensuring their offering was well-placed. The three great and praised goddesses—Iḍā, Sarasvatī, and Bhāratī—they invited to sit upon the sacred grass. They prayed to Tvaṣṭṛ, wondrous and manifold in skill, to grant them extraordinary strength and bestow abundance and prosperity. The Lord of the forest, rejoicing among the gods, released Agni, the appeaser, to prepare the offering. With the sacred cry of “Svāhā!” they offered to Agni, Jātavedas, for Indra, wishing that all the gods would accept their oblation. They praised Agni as rich in food, wealth-increasing, wise, and radiant, moving with his hosts, adorned with splendor. United in mind, the people stood for Vāyu, having accomplished lordly deeds. For the sake of wealth, the two worlds had given birth to Agni; for wealth, divine Dhiṣaṇā granted to the god; then the hosts accompanied Vāyu, and radiant Vasudhiti was distinguished. They remembered how the mighty waters, bearing all, held the embryo and gave birth to Agni. From these waters arose the one lord of the gods, and they wondered: to which god should they offer their oblation? Who among the gods was the one above all others, the one who beheld the waters in their greatness, holding skill and giving birth to sacrifice? Again, they asked: to which god shall they offer their oblation? They prayed for the god who comes to the worshipper, accompanied by hosts, for Vāyu’s delight in the home, to grant them wealth easy to enjoy, heroic sons, cattle, horses, and generous gifts. They invited Vāyu to come with his hundreds and thousands of hosts to the sacrifice, to approach the offering, to rejoice in the pressing, and to always protect them with blessings. Vāyu, radiant and accompanied by hosts, was called to enter the house of the one who presses Soma. They approached him as the foremost among those who dwell in heaven, inviting him to the drinking of Soma, splendid god accompanied by his hosts. Pleased by sacrifice, Vāyu, the leader, attended the offering with his group and mind, always auspicious with his hosts. They beckoned Vāyu to come with his thousand chariots, accompanied by hosts, for the drinking of Soma. With one, with ten, with his own, with two for the offering, with twenty, with three, with thirty hosts, they asked him to come and release his blessings. They chose the favors of Vāyu, Lord of the wind, wondrous son-in-law of Tvaṣṭṛ. They praised Indra, the hero, as cows praise their unmilked calf, lord of the moving and steadfast world, shining in heaven. None other, celestial or earthly, born or to be born, is like Indra. They called upon generous Indra, seeking horses and wealth, seeking cattle. O Indra, giver of strength, singers called you; lord among the slayers, men called you in the woods and among the horses. They invoked mighty Indra, courageous, praised, with dazzling thunderbolt in hand, the stone-breaker, asking him to scatter for them cows, horses, chariots, and wealth, so that none might defeat them. They wondered by what power Indra became so wondrous, ever-strengthening, and a friend—by what potent aid he was chosen. Who among the true ones is most exhilarated by the draughts, who delights in the pressed soma, unlocking even the firmest treasures? They prayed that Indra would be, for them as singers, a protector among friends, a hundredfold in their aid. Sacrifice after sacrifice, with voice after voice, they praised Agni for his skill, honoring the immortal Jātavedas, their dear friend, as one praises a beloved companion.